Vietnam and Morocco Vow to Deepen Ties Ahead of 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch warmly received Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Trần Thanh Mẫn in Rabat on Friday morning, expressing confidence that the visit would further enhance the strong and growing relationship between Morocco and Vietnam as the two countries prepare to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2026.

Prime Minister Akhannouch lauded Vietnam’s rising international stature and the impressive achievements it has made in implementing its socio-economic development strategy. Conveying cordial greetings from His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Chairman Mẫn and other senior Vietnamese leaders, the Prime Minister underscored Morocco’s desire to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.

In reply, NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn conveyed warm greetings from General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Tô Lâm, President Lương Cường, and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to King Mohammed VI, Prime Minister Akhannouch, and other Moroccan leaders.

He emphasized that his visit aims to sustain the momentum of growing parliamentary diplomacy, following the January 2025 visit of the Speaker of the Moroccan House of Representatives to Vietnam for the Executive Committee Meeting of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF) in Cần Thơ.

Chairman Mẫn noted the continued strengthening of political trust between the two legislatures through frequent exchanges of legislative experience and close coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the APF.

Looking ahead to the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations next year, he proposed enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels. He also encouraged Morocco to create more favorable conditions for market access for key Vietnamese exports such as agricultural products, leather footwear, textiles, and seafood. Additionally, he called for discussions on updating or negotiating new trade agreements in line with current economic realities.

He further recommended increasing business-to-business connectivity and urged Morocco to consider more favorable visa policies for Vietnamese citizens to facilitate travel, investment, and cultural exchange.

In response, Prime Minister Akhannouch shared insights into Morocco’s current development priorities, highlighting major investments in infrastructure in Casablanca, Marrakech, and other cities in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. He described the event as a pivotal opportunity to drive growth and attract international investment, including from Vietnam.

Agreeing with Chairman Mẫn’s assessments, the Moroccan Prime Minister stressed the need to align economic and trade ties with the high level of political trust between the two countries. He expressed his interest in paying an official visit to Vietnam in the near future, accompanied by a Moroccan business delegation, to advance trade and promote Moroccan tourism in Southeast Asia.

The meeting was marked by a warm and constructive atmosphere, as both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing two-way investment and leveraging their countries’ strategic positions as gateways to Southeast Asia and Africa, respectively.

Chairman Mẫn expressed gratitude to the Moroccan government for its support and encouraged continued legal facilitation for Vietnamese citizens and people of Vietnamese origin residing in Morocco. He emphasized their role in strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to the shared development of both nations.